Marker for identifying surgical cavity in targeted radiation

ABSTRACT

A marker for identifying a portion of a surgical margin includes a first element to attach the marker to the surgical margin of a surgical cavity located in a body of a patient, and a second element attached to the first element. The second element includes an indicator to uniquely identify the portion of the surgical margin through a radiological scan.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No.17/302,942, filed May 17, 2021, and entitled “Marker for IdentifyingSurgical Cavity in Targeted Radiation,” which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/US/2019/062042, filed Nov. 18, 2019,and entitled “Marker for Identifying a Surgical Cavity”, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/769,259, filed on Nov. 19, 2018, and entitled “Marker forIdentifying Portions of a Surgical Margin of a Surgical Cavity,” thecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

Treatment modalities for cancer include tumor resection (e.g., from alung, pancreas, prostate, bladder, breast, trachea, and/or the like),systemic therapy with hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and/or thelike. When performing post-resection treatment, such as radiationtherapy, identifying a location of target tissue in a post-surgicalcavity is important, so that a guided treatment can be performed on thetarget tissue without harming surrounding tissues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example implementation described herein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrations of an example marker for identifyingportions of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations of an example marker for identifyingportions of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example plurality of markers foridentifying portions of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example process for identifying portions ofa surgical margin of a surgical cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of example implementations refers tothe accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in differentdrawings may identify the same or similar elements.

When a tumor is resected, an abnormal tissue is removed from a patient’sbody, which results in a surgical cavity. After the resection, thetreating surgeon may re-approximate one or more of the borders of thecavity, may move the borders of the resection, and/or may relocatetissue from the areas surrounding the cavity to fill the cavity. Forexample, during or after a lumpectomy or a partial mastectomy, thetreating surgeon may perform reconstructive surgery on the breasttissue, which may move the borders of the resection, may relocate tissuefrom the areas surrounding the cavity, and/or the like, making theborders of the resection difficult to identify.

After the abnormal tissue is removed, a pathologist performs anassessment of the surgical margin of the surgical cavity to determinewhether the surgical margin surrounding the surgical cavity is free ofthe abnormal tissue. In the case of positive margin at any of theborders, the treating surgeon may choose to go back for the resection ofthat particular margin. Once all margins are cleared, a radiationoncology practitioner may attempt to identify the surgical margin of thesurgical cavity using a computed tomography (CT) simulation of thesurgical cavity, and may plan radiation treatment to target rays ofradiation on the tissue surrounding the surgical cavity. Given thepossibility of tissue transfer during the resection (e.g., duringre-approximation of the borders of the cavity, movement of the bordersof the resection, and/or the like), areas identified as the surgicalmargin by the CT simulation may not accurately represent the actualborders of the surgical margin. Furthermore, various techniques formarking the surgical margins of a surgical cavity may be utilized, butsuch techniques tend to be difficult and unreliable. For example,surgical clips that are typically used for sealing off small bloodvessels may be used, but surgical clips lack individualization formarking individual portions of a surgical margin and may also be usedfor hemostasis purposes but be mistaken for a surgical margin.

Some implementations described herein provide a marker for identifyingportions of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity. In someimplementations, the surgical margin may be a particular surgicalmargin, such as an anterior portion of a surgical margin, a posteriorportion of a surgical margin, a lateral portion of a surgical margin, amedial portion of a surgical margin, a superior portion of a surgicalmargin, an inferior portion of a surgical margin, and/or the like. Anindicator on the marker may include an alphabetical letter or other typeof indicator that represents the portion of the surgical margin.Depending on the type of abnormal tissue associated with the surgicalcavity, and the location of the surgical cavity in the patient (e.g., abronchial surgical cavity, a tracheal surgical cavity, a bladdersurgical cavity, a pancreatic surgical cavity, a prostate surgicalcavity, and/or the like), other types of indicators may be used toidentify the significance of the surgical margin.

In some implementations, the surgical margin may be associated with asurgical cavity, such as a lumpectomy cavity, a complete or partialmastectomy cavity, an excisional biopsy in breast surgery, and/or thelike. In some implementations, the surgical cavity may be associatedwith another type of surgical intervention in which identifying theexact location of the surgical margin is desirable, including, but notlimited to pancreas surgery, liver surgery, lung surgery, prostatesurgery, and/or the like.

In some implementations, the marker may include a first element toattach the marker to a portion of a surgical margin associated with asurgical cavity of a patient, and a second element attached to the firstelement, wherein the second element includes an indicator to uniquelyidentify the portion of the surgical margin through a radiological scan,such as a CT scan and/or the like. In this way, the indicator identifiesa location of the portion of the surgical margin relative to thesurgical cavity. Further, the indicator distinguishes a portion of thesurgical margin relative to other portions of the surgical margin of thesurgical cavity.

In some implementations, the first element may include at least oneprotrusion projecting from the second element and penetrating into abody tissue of the patient. The at least one protrusion may irreversiblydeform to attach the marker to the body tissue of the patient. In someimplementations, the first element may include a hollow portion forreceiving a thread that may be used to stitch the marker to the bodytissue of the patient. The first element may be an integral part of thesecond element such that the first element and the second element are asingle piece, the first element and the second element are separatepieces that are removably attachable, and/or the like.

Some implementations described herein provide a plurality of markers foridentifying portions of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity. Eachmarker, of the plurality of markers, includes a first element forattachment to a body tissue of the patient, and a second elementattached to the first element and including an indicator. Each marker,of the plurality of markers, may correspond to a particular portion, ofthe plurality of portions, of the surgical margin. Each marker, of theplurality of markers, may be different from the remaining markers of theplurality of markers such that each of the markers is independentlydistinguishable from the remaining markers through a radiological scan.In this way, each of the markers uniquely identifies a portion of thesurgical margin in the radiological scan.

In some implementations, the indicator of the second element of aparticular marker may include a different shape, may include a differentalphanumeric character, and/or may include another physical attributethat permits the marker to be distinguished relative to another markerin the radiological scan, which in turn permits each marker, of theplurality of markers, to identify a particular portion of the surgicalmargin relative to other portions of the surgical margin in theradiological scan. In this way, it is possible to individually mark eachof the portions of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity to properlyidentify each portion of the surgical margin in the radiological scanafter a surgery.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation 100 of a surgical cavityassociated with a tumor resection, a biopsy, and/or the like. As shownin FIG. 1 , implementation 100 may include a surgical cavity 102, asurgical margin 104 of surgical cavity 102, and a plurality of markers106 (collectively referred to as “markers 106”, and individuallyreferred to as “marker 106”).

In some implementations, surgical cavity 102 and surgical margin 104 maybe part of a patient’s body. In some implementations, surgical cavity102 may include a three-dimensional cavity that results from a surgeryperformed on the patient, such as a surgery to remove a tumor or anothertype of an abnormal tissue. The surgery may include a partialmastectomy, a lumpectomy, a biopsy, and/or any other type of surgerywhere a surgical cavity is formed as a result of a body tissue beingremoved from the patient.

In some implementations, surgical margin 104 may include a portion ofthe patient’s body tissue surrounding surgical cavity 102. Surgicalmargin 104 may function as a portion of the patient’s body tissue thatis to be used to determine whether the removal of the tumor wassuccessful or whether the abnormal tissue associated with the tumor wascompletely removed. In this way, after surgical removal of the tumor, apractitioner may analyze surgical margin 104 to determine whether theabnormal tissue is present in surgical margin 104, which may indicatethat not all of the abnormal tissue was removed, and that anotherresection is needed in order to remove the abnormal tissue in surgicalmargin 104.

In some implementations, the size of surgical margin 104 (e.g., thethickness of body tissue in millimeters or another unit of measurement)may be determined by a medical practitioner, by a computing device,based on various medical practices, and/or the like. As an example,surgical margin 104 may be about 1 mm in thickness, about 2 mm inthickness, and/or the like.

In some implementations, surgical margin 104 may include variousportions, such as an anterior portion (e.g., a portion of surgicalmargin 104 that is adjacent to a front portion of surgical cavity 102),a posterior portion (e.g., a portion of surgical margin 104 that isadjacent to a rear portion of surgical cavity 102), a lateral portion(e.g., a portion of surgical margin 104 that is adjacent to a sideportion of surgical cavity 102), a medial portion (e.g., a portion ofsurgical margin 104 that is adjacent to a middle portion of surgicalcavity 102), a superior portion (e.g., a portion of surgical margin 104that is adjacent to a top portion of surgical cavity 102), an inferiorportion (e.g., a portion of surgical margin 104 that is adjacent to abottom portion of surgical cavity 102), and/or the like.

Markers 106 may be attached to the patient’s body in surgical margin 104to identify a particular portion of surgical margin 104 relative toother portions of surgical margin 104. Additionally, or alternatively,markers 106 may be attached and/or implanted in surgical cavity 102 toidentify a particular portion of surgical cavity 102 relative to otherportions of surgical cavity 102. In the implementations describedherein, descriptions of attaching markers 106 to surgical margin 104 mayalso be applied to attaching markers 106 to surgical cavity 102.

Markers 106 may include a first element 108 to attach a marker 106 tosurgical margin 104, and a second element 110 attached to first element108. Second element 110 may include an indicator 112 for uniquelyidentifying a portion of surgical margin 104 through a radiologicalscan, such as a CT scan, an X-ray scan, and/or the like. In someimplementations, first element 108 may be an integral part of secondelement 110, such that first element 108 and second element 110 are asingle piece. In some implementations, first element 108 may be aseparate piece from second element 110 and may be removably orirremovably attachable to second element 110.

In some implementations, indicator 112 of second element 110 may includean alphanumeric character representing the portion being identified bymarker 106 (e.g., the letter “M” for a medial portion, the letter “L”for a lateral portion, the number “1” for a medial portion, the number“2” for a lateral portion, and/or the like), may include a particularshape (e.g., a circle for an inferior portion, a square for a superiorportion, and/or the like), may include a particular symbol, may includea particular material (e.g., titanium for an anterior portion, an alloyor a composite material for a posterior portion, and/or the like),and/or another physical indicator that may be used to identify a portionof surgical margin 104 through a radiological scan and distinguish oneportion from another portion. In some implementations, indicator 112 maybe directly attached to first element 108 such that, in a side view ofmarker 106 that shows indicator 112, at least a portion of indicator 112is in a direct contact with the body tissue of the patient and/orsurgical margin 104.

In some implementations, each particular marker 106 may include a uniqueindicator such that each particular marker 106 may be distinguished fromother markers 106 in a radiological scan. For example, a first marker106 may have a different alphanumeric character relative to a secondmarker 106, first marker 106 may have a different shape relative tosecond marker 106, first marker 106 may have a different symbol relativeto second marker 106, first marker 106 may have a different materialrelative to second marker 106, and/or the like.

In some implementations, the material of indicator 112 of second element110 may differ from a material of a remaining portion of marker 106,such that, throughout an entirety of marker 106, only indicator 112 maybe detectable by the radiological scan. In some implementations, thematerial of indicator 112 may differ from a material of the remainingportion of marker 106, such that, throughout the entirety of marker 106,indicator 112 is more visible in the radiological scan relative to theremaining portion of marker 106. The material of marker 106, or onlyindicator 112, may be titanium or other safe materials for a body thatcan be detected by the radiological scan. The remaining portions ofmarker 106, which do not include titanium, for example, may includeanother material that can be dissolved and absorbed by the body after acertain period of time. The other material may also be safe for a bodyand may include a polymer, a gel, and/or the like, that may not bedetected by the radiological scan.

In this way, during a surgery, operation, procedure, and/or the like, inwhich a tumor and/or abnormal tissue is removed from a body of apatient, the removal of the tumor and/or abnormal tissue may causesurgical cavity 102 to be formed in the patient’s body. Prior to closingsurgical cavity 102, a practitioner (e.g., a surgeon and/or the like), amedical device, and/or the like, may insert one or more markers 106 intosurgical cavity 102 and attach each marker 106, of the one or moremarkers, to a particular portion of surgical margin 104 surroundingsurgical cavity 102. Once the one or more markers 106 are attached tosurgical margin 104, the practitioner and/or medical device may closesurgical cavity 102. Accordingly, the practitioner, another practitioner(e.g., a radiologist and/or the like), a medical device, and/or the likemay capture a radiological scan of the area of the patient’s body inwhich surgical cavity 102 and surgical margin 104 are located, mayidentify the one or more markers 106 in the radiological scan, and maylocate the various portions of surgical margin 104 based on identifyingthe one or more markers 106 in the radiological scan. In this way, thepractitioner(s) and/or the medical device may more accurately andquickly identify surgical margin 104 and analyze surgical margin 104 forthe abnormal tissue, which improves treatment of various types of tumorsand/or abnormal tissue. For example, a radiation oncology practitionermay plan radiation treatment to target rays of radiation on the tissueidentified by the one or more markers 106 in the radiological scan.

As indicated above, FIG. 1 is provided merely as an example. Otherexamples are may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a detailed view of an example marker 106.FIG. 2A may illustrate a two-dimensional view of marker 106 and FIG. 2Bmay illustrate a three-dimensional view of marker 106. As shown in FIG.2A, marker 106 may include a hollow portion for first element 108. Thehollow portion may be configured to pass a thread such that marker 106may be stitched, using the thread, to a body tissue. In this way, marker106 may be stitched to a portion of surgical margin 104. In someimplementations, the opening of the hollow portion may be of varioussizes and shapes, which may depend on the size of marker 106, the sizeof the thread being used to attach marker 106 to the portion of surgicalmargin 104, and/or the like. In some implementations, the size and/orshape of the opening of the hollow portion may be configured based on aparticular context in which marker 106 is used.

As shown in FIG. 2B, second element 110 may include a three-dimensionalshape, such as a cube, a sphere, a cylinder, a cone, and/or the like.For example, second element 110 may include a plurality of surfaces,such as a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, athird surface, and a fourth surface opposing the third surface (thethird surface and the fourth surface being located between the firstsurface and the second surface), and a fifth surface and a sixth surfaceeach being placed adjacent to each of the first surface, the secondsurface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. In someimplementations, indicator 112 may include indicia placed on each of aplurality of surfaces of second element 110. For example, and as shownin FIG. 2B, indicator 112 may include the alphanumeric character “L”placed on each surface, of the plurality of surfaces, of second element110.

In some implementations, a material of the second element 110 may causeone or more surfaces (and the indicia located thereon), of the pluralityof surfaces, of second element 110 to be more visible or prominent in aradiological scan relative to one or more other surfaces (and theindicia located thereon), of the plurality of surfaces, of secondelement 110. In some implementations, a material of the indicia on eachof the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, the fourthsurface, and the fifth surface may be different from a material of theindicia in the remaining surfaces of the first surface, the secondsurface, the third surface, the fourth surface, and the fifth surface,such that the indicia on each of the first surface, the second surface,the third surface, the fourth surface, and the fifth surface exhibitdifferent levels of visibility and/or prominence in a radiological scan.In some implementations, the indicia may include a first materialdisposed on a first surface, of the plurality of surfaces, of secondelement 110 and a second material disposed on a second surface, of theplurality of surfaces of second element 110, such that the firstmaterial is more (or less) visible and/or prominent in a radiologicalscan relative to the second material.

As indicated above, FIGS. 2A and 2B are provided merely as an example.Other examples are may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a detailed view of a marker 106. FIG. 3A mayillustrate a two-dimensional view of marker 106 and FIG. 3B mayillustrate a three-dimensional view of marker 106. As shown in FIG. 3A,marker 106 may include a protrusion for first element 108. In someimplementations, marker 106 may include a plurality of protrusions forfirst element 108. The protrusion may be barbed and/or may project fromsecond element 110 and may penetrate into a body tissue of a patient. Inthis way, the protrusion may reversibly or irreversibly deform to attachmarker 106 to a portion of a surgical margin 104.

As shown in FIG. 3B, second element 110 may include a three-dimensionalshape, such as a cube, a sphere, a cylinder, a cone, and/or the like.For example, second element 110 may include a plurality of surfaces,such as a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, athird surface, and a fourth surface opposing the third surface (thethird surface and the fourth surface being located between the firstsurface and the second surface), and a fifth surface and a sixth surfaceeach being placed adjacent to each of the first surface, the secondsurface, the third surface, and the fourth surface. In someimplementations, indicator 112 may include indicia placed on each of aplurality of surfaces of second element 110. For example, and as shownin FIG. 3B, indicator 112 may include the alphanumeric character “L”placed on each surface, of the plurality of surfaces, of second element110.

In some implementations, a material of the second element 110 may causeone or more surfaces (and the indicia located thereon), of the pluralityof surfaces of second element 110 to be more visible or prominent in aradiological scan relative to one or more other surfaces (and theindicia located thereon), of the plurality of surfaces of second element110. In some implementations, a material of the indicia on each of thefirst surface, the second surface, the third surface, the fourthsurface, and the fifth surface may be different from a material of theindicia in the remaining surfaces of the first surface, the secondsurface, the third surface, the fourth surface, and the fifth surface,such that the indicia on each of the first surface, the second surface,the third surface, the fourth surface, and the fifth surface exhibitdifferent levels of visibility and/or prominence in a radiological scan.In some implementations, the indicia may include a first materialdisposed on a first surface of the plurality of surfaces of secondelement 110, and a second material disposed on a second surface of theplurality of surfaces of second element 110, such that the firstmaterial is more (or less) visible and/or prominent in a radiologicalscan relative to the second material.

As indicated above, FIGS. 3A and 3B are provided merely as an example.Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIGS. 3Aand 3B.

While first element 108 is illustrated as a hollow portion in FIGS. 2Aand 2B, and a protrusion in FIGS. 3A and 3B, first element 108 mayinclude another type or configuration of attachment device and/or methodfor attaching marker 106 to a portion of surgical margin 104. Forexample, first element 108 may include various attachment means, such asclips, staples, hooks, adhesives, and/or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example plurality of markers (e.g., markers 106a-106 e, individually referred to as “marker 106”, and collectivelyreferred to as “markers 106”) for identifying portions of a surgicalmargin of a surgical cavity. As shown in FIG. 4 , each marker 106 mayinclude a different indicator 112, for individually, independently,and/or uniquely identifying a particular portion, of a plurality ofportions, of a surgical margin associated with a surgical cavity locatedin a body of a patient. For example, marker 106 a may include anindicator 112 associated with an anterior portion of the surgical margin(e.g., the alphanumeric character “A”), marker 106 b may include anindicator 112 associated with a posterior portion of the surgical margin(e.g., the alphanumeric character “P”), marker 106 c may include anindicator 112 associated with a lateral portion of the surgical margin(e.g., the alphanumeric character “L”), marker 106 d may include anindicator 112 associated with a medial portion of the surgical margin(e.g., the alphanumeric character “M”), marker 106 e may include anindicator 112 associated with a superior portion of the surgical margin(e.g., the alphanumeric character “S”), marker 106 f may include anindicator 112 associated with an inferior portion of the surgical margin(e.g., the alphanumeric character “I”), and/or the like.

Each of markers 106 may be designed and patterned with a differentalphanumeric character, a different color, and/or a different materialto be applied to a specific portion of a surgical margin among theanterior, posterior, lateral, medial, superior, and inferior portionssuch that a radiological scan distinguishes a marker 106 from othermarkers 106 located in the surgical margin.

In some implementations, an automatic dispenser may dispense the markers106. For example, the automatic dispenser may be a stapler, a ligatingclip dispenser, an endoscopic clip applier, and/or the like. In someimplementations, the automatic dispenser may, upon activation by a user,attach the first element 108 to tissue (e.g., surgical cavity 102 and/orthe like), thereby attaching marker 106 to the tissue.

In some implementations, the automatic dispenser may include a selectionmechanism permitting a user to select indicator 112 for marker 106 eachtime the that the automatic dispenser dispenses marker 106. For example,the selection mechanism may include a rotating knob, one or morebuttons, a touchscreen, and/or the like for the user to select indicator112 for the next marker 106 dispensed by the automatic dispenser. Insome implementations, a user may manipulate the selection mechanism toselect a marker 106 bearing a chosen indicator 112, and activate theautomatic dispenser to attach the selected marker 106 to tissue (e.g.,surgical cavity 102 and/or the like).

In some implementations, markers 106 may be designed and patterned witha different alphanumeric character, a different color, and/or adifferent material, as described herein, before markers 106 are fed,loaded, and/or the like into the automatic dispenser. For example,before markers 106 are placed in the automatic dispenser, indicators 112may be applied to markers 106 such that a radiological scandistinguishes a marker 106 from other markers 106 located in thesurgical margin.

In some implementations, markers 106 may be sequentially fed, loaded,and/or the like into the automatic dispenser. For example, markers 106corresponding to each of the anterior, posterior, lateral, medial,superior, and inferior portions may be sequentially arranged and fedinto the automatic dispenser in an order such that, upon a sequence ofactivations of the automatic dispenser, the automatic dispenserdispenses markers 106 in the order.

Additionally, or alternatively, each type of marker 106 may be fed,loaded, and/or the like into the automatic dispenser separately and/orindividually. For example, markers 106 corresponding to the anteriorportion may be fed into the dispenser, and then markers 106corresponding to the posterior portion may be fed into the dispenser,and/or the like. In some implementations, the user may manipulate theselection mechanism on the automatic dispenser to select a type ofmarker 106 for the automatic dispenser to dispense.

In some implementations, markers 106 may not include indicator 112 whenmarkers 106 are fed, loaded, and/or the like into the automaticdispenser, and the automatic dispenser may apply a differentalphanumeric character, a different color, and/or a different materialto markers 106 such that a radiological scan distinguishes a marker 106from other markers 106. For example, the automatic dispenser may includea pressing device, an imprinting device, an engraving device, aninjection device, an indicia-providing device, and/or the like forapplying indicator 112 to markers 106.

In some implementations, the automatic dispenser may apply a differentalphanumeric character, a different color, and/or a different materialto one or more sides, surfaces, and/or the like of markers 106. Forexample, the automatic dispenser may apply indicator 112 to adjacentsurfaces, opposite surfaces, selected surfaces, all surfaces, and/or thelike of markers 106. In some implementations, the automatic dispensermay apply a same indicator 112 to multiple surfaces of markers 106.Additionally, or alternatively, the automatic dispenser may apply adifferent indicator 112 to multiple surfaces of markers 106 (e.g., adifferent indicator 112 on each surface, a first indicator 112 on twosurfaces and a second indicator 112 on two other surfaces, and/or thelike).

In some implementations, the user may manipulate the selection mechanismon the automatic dispenser to select a type of marker 106, and theautomatic dispenser may apply an alphanumeric character, a differentcolor, and/or a different material to a marker 106. For example, theautomatic dispenser may receive the user selection of an indicator 112,apply the indicator 112 to marker 106 upon activation by the user, andattach marker 106 to tissue (e.g., surgical cavity 102 and/or the like).

As indicated above, FIG. 4 is provided merely as an example. Otherexamples are may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example process 500 for identifyingportions of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity. In someimplementations, one or more process blocks of FIG. 5 may include theuse of a marker (e.g., marker 106). In some implementations, one or moreprocess blocks of FIG. 5 may include the use of another device or agroup of devices separate from or including the marker.

As shown in FIG. 5 , process 500 may include identifying a portion, of aplurality of portions, of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity,wherein the surgical margin and the surgical cavity are located in abody of a patient (block 510). For example, a portion, of a plurality ofportions, of a surgical margin of a surgical cavity may be identified,as described above. In some implementations, the surgical margin and thesurgical cavity are located in a body of a patient.

As further shown in FIG. 5 , process 500 may include attaching, to theportion of the surgical margin, a marker via a first element of themarker (block 520). For example, a marker may be attached to the portionof the surgical margin via a first element of the marker, as describedabove. In some implementations, process 500 may include implanting, intothe portion of the surgical margin, a marker via a first element of themarker.

As further shown in FIG. 5 , process 500 may include generating aradiological scan of the surgical cavity, the surgical margin, and themarker, wherein an indicator, included in a second element attached tothe first element of the marker, uniquely identifies the portion of thesurgical margin in the radiological scan (block 530). For example, aradiological scan of the surgical cavity, the surgical margin, and themarker, may be generated, as described above. In some implementations,an indicator, included in a second element attached to the first elementof the marker, uniquely identifies the portion of the surgical margin inthe radiological scan.

Process 500 may include additional implementations, such as any singleimplementation or any combination of implementations described belowand/or described with regard to any other process described herein.Although FIG. 5 shows example blocks of process 400, in someimplementations, process 500 may include additional blocks, fewerblocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than thosedepicted in FIG. 5 . Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of theblocks of process 500 may be performed in parallel.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made inlight of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of theimplementations.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact,many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recitedin the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although eachdependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, thedisclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim incombination with every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore,as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items(e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related andunrelated items, etc.), and may be used interchangeably with “one ormore.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similarlanguage is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,”“having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a first element configuredto attach the device to an area associated with a surgical cavity; and asecond element comprising an indicator that is detectable via aradiological scan, wherein a remaining portion of the second element,other than the indicator, is less detectable via the radiological scanrelative to the indicator, and wherein a first material of the indicatoris different from a second material of the remaining portion.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the second element comprises a plurality ofsurfaces, and wherein the indicator is configured to be on one or moresurfaces of the plurality of surfaces.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe second element comprises a plurality of surfaces, and wherein one ormore surfaces of the plurality of surfaces include the indicator.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein only the first material is detectable intargeted radiation associated with the radiological scan.
 5. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the first element comprises an attachment deviceconfigured to attach to the area associated with the surgical cavity. 6.The device of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises at least oneof: a hollow portion, a protruding portion, a clip, a staple, a hook, oran adhesive.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprisesat least one of: an alphanumeric character, a shape, or a symbol.
 8. Asystem, comprising: a plurality of devices, wherein a first device, ofthe plurality of devices, comprises a first indicator, wherein a seconddevice, of the plurality of devices, comprises a second indicator,wherein the first device is configured to attach to a first areaassociated with a surgical cavity, wherein the second device isconfigured to attach to a second area associated with the surgicalcavity, wherein the first indicator is detectable via a radiologicalscan, wherein a remaining portion of the first device is less detectablevia the radiological scan relative to the first indicator, and wherein afirst material of the first indicator is different from a secondmaterial of the remaining portion.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein oneor more surfaces of the first device comprises a first pattern, andwherein one or more surfaces of the second device comprises a secondpattern.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first device comprises aplurality of surfaces, and wherein the indicator is configured to be onone or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces.
 11. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the first device comprises a plurality of surfaces, andwherein one or more surfaces of the plurality of surfaces include theindicator.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein only the first material isdetectable in targeted radiation associated with the radiological scan.13. The system of claim 8, wherein the first device comprises anattachment device configured to attach to the area associated with thesurgical cavity.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the first indicatoris configured to identify a location of the first area.
 15. A device,comprising: an indicator that is detectable via a radiological scan,wherein the device is configured to attach to an area associated with asurgical cavity, wherein a remaining portion of the device, other thanthe indicator, is less detectable via the radiological scan relative tothe indicator, and wherein a first material of the indicator isdifferent from a second material of the remaining portion.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15, further comprising: a plurality of surfaces, whereinthe indicator is configured to be on one or more surfaces of theplurality of surfaces.
 17. The device of claim 15, further comprising: aplurality of surfaces, wherein one or more surfaces of the plurality ofsurfaces include the indicator.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein onlythe first material is detectable in targeted radiation associated withthe radiological scan.
 19. The device of claim 15, further comprising:an attachment device configured to attach to the area associated withthe surgical cavity.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein the indicatoris configured to identify a location of the area associated with thesurgical cavity.